Electric motors spin a shaft or pinion that can be used to move the slide out in one direction. Whether the system that moves the RV slide out between the extended or retracted position is a rack and pinion, or a pulley and cable system, it is most often powered by an electric motor. Knowing how the slide outs in your RV work is important so that you know how to best maintain it, and how to troubleshoot the problem if they get stuck in either position. Other systems that exist are pulley and cable, Schwintek, and hydraulic. The most common slide out mechanism is the rack and pinion system. Many use electric motors to operate, while some use hydraulics.

There are several different types of RV slide outs, and they each work in slightly different ways.

Should You Use Slide Out Jacks or Supports?.

Best Practices When Using RV Slide Outs.

To make an informed decision about if slide outs are worth the investment, it’s necessary to understand how they work. What is less obvious are the potential downsides of slide outs. Slides are also frequently added to the bedroom to allow for a larger bed.

The benefits of an RV slide out are obvious, RVs are only 8 feet wide so adding an extra foot or two in width is HUGE in terms of bonus square footage. The slide out is moved between the extended and retracted positions via hydraulic, electrical, or manual mechanical systems. Some slide outs even have slide outs built into them to increase the livable square footage of the RV even more.Īn RV slide out or slide is a cut-out portion of your RV that extends and retracts to increase the living space available. Since 1999, nearly every RV produced has at least 1 and sometimes as many as 5 slide outs. RV slide outs have become an industry standard because they offer additional living space to your camper.

Breckenridge Park Model Manual